Combined fireplace and table



July 19, 1949. A. H. GAUSS COMBINED FIREPLACE AND TABLE Filed March 19, 1945 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ARTHUR HGAUSS July 19, 1949. A. H. GAUSS COMBINED FIREPLACE AND TABLE Filed March 19, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

d 7 2 LI E Patented July 19, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COlVIBINED FIREPLACE AND TABLE Arthur H. Gauss, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application March 19, 1945, Serial No. 583,492

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in foldin furniture, and particularly to an apparatus which under normal conditions of use presents the appearance of a mantel-fireplace, but which by suitable manipulation may be converted into a table or other distinctive piece of furniture.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a convertible structure which may be placed against a wall of a small compartment, giving all of the appearance during non-use and normal position of the parts of a fireplace having a hearth and having arranged above it a suitable mantel, with means whereby, when desirable, the position of the parts may be changed so that provision is made for a table to be used. for an purpose desired.

For the purpose of disclosing the invention, I have illustrated an embodiment thereof, where- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved structure, when presenting the appearance of a mantel-fireplace;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showin the parts in a position with the fireplace structure swung partially out for the purpose of conversion to a table structure;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the parts swung further around to partially present the table portion of the structure; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the parts in their final position, and presenting the table structure for use and Fig. 5 is a detailed section showing how the side members are locked in position.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, I provide a frame structure which may comprise a top plate I and a bottom plate 2. The rear corners of these plates are connected together by rods 3 and the front corners are connected by similar rods 4, which extend between the top and bottom plates and are surrounded by spacer tubes 5 to maintain the top and bottom plates in suitable spaced relation.

Hinged to the forward rods 4 is a fireplace structure 6 which may be built up of wood panels or similar material to provide side columns I suitably decorated, and a fireplace front plate 8. The side column I and plate 8, which in effect constitute a front panel, are connected by side panels 9 which extend rearwardly to a back panel Ill, thus providing a hollow structure. Within the face of the front panel 8, I provide an opening within which is formed rearwardly extending fireplace panels H and 12 with a rear panel 13 55 after which the fireplace structure may be to provide a fireplace. This fireplace is provided with a bottom plate M which may be extended forwardly beyond the face of the front panel 1 to give the appearance of a hearth in front of the fireplace, and this portion may be suitably decorated to give the appearance of a fireplace. Suitable openings iii are provided in the side walls 9 to provide a recess or hollow pocket extending through the width of the structure, thereby providing pockets for the storage of benches or chairs for use in connection with the table. The rear wall ID of the structure is provided with a pair of slide rods l1 suitably spaced from the rear wall and secured to the rear wall through the medium of integral and pieces l8. In eifect, this structure provides long staple members, which may be driven into the face of the rear wall ID.

A hinged table 19 is provided at its rear end with eyes 20 receiving the slide rod 11, and this table at its forward end is provided with a drop leg structure 2|.

The entire unit, including the fireplace structure and table, is hingedly and linkedl connect-- ed to the rods 4 through suitable link connections. To this end intermediate of the ends of the fireplace-table structure, I provide a pair of cross links 22, one at the top and one at the bottom, which extend from front to back of the structure and project slightly beyond the front and back of the structure. Pivotally connected to the front end of each of these links 22 is a pivoted link, top and bottom, 23 hingedly fastened to one of the vertical rods 4. Likewise, hingedly connected to the rear extension of these members 22 is a second pair of links, top and bottom, 24 having their front ends connected to the rear projections of the cross members 22 and their rear ends hingedly connected to the other rod 4.

Covering the top of the structure and providing the appearance of a mantel, I provide a top 25 hinged at 26 to the rear end of the top plate I and of sufficient size to overhang the top plate.

Also, I provide a pair of swingable side panels 21 hinged at their rear ends to the rods 3.

The top cover 25 is provided with downwardly extending flanges 28 which, when the side panels 21 are closed, overlap the side panels, holding the same in their closed position and overhanging the front to cover the top links.

In operation with the parts in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, when it is desired to convert the structure into a table, the top 25 is swun upwardly and the side panels 21 swung outwardly,

pulled out and at the same time as the pressure is applied to one side and a pull is applied to the other edge, the structure will be rotated to the position illustrated in Fig. 3. Eventually, the structure may be moved back flat to the position illustrated in Fig. 4 and with the mantel plate 25 down and the two side panel 21 closed, a table structure such as is illustrated in Fig. 4 is presented when the rear edge of the table is lowered, and at the same time the legs: 2]. are lowered.

When the apparatus is intended to present a fireplace structure, the legs 2| are folded upwardly flat against the under side of the table I9; and then by raising the rear end of the table, the table may be folded flat against the rear panel or face of the unit, after which theunit maybe swung back to the position. illustrated in Fig. 1. With the table folded fiat against the rear panel, the eyes 20 will ride over the top end piece, and be sustained in the; folded position.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a, devicev of the character described com prising a mantel structure including top and bottom plates, a supporting post disposed vertically between said plates and secured thereto adjacent side edges of said top. and bottom plates, arms swingably. connected to and supported by said post and a box-like structure, having a great er width. than: the depth of said plates pivotally connected to and suported. between the free ends of said arms, said arms being of sufiicient length to permit the box-like structure to be swung outwardly thereon and, reversed. on its pivots with the ends. of the box-like structure clearing the plane. of the rear edges of; said top and bottom plates.

2. In a device.- of, thecharacter'described comprising a mantel structure including top and bottom. plates, a. supporting post disposed vertically between said plates adjacent side edges thereof and. connected to saidiplates, arms swingably connected to and supported on, said posts at. the top and bottom thereof, abox-like structure. having a greater width than. the depth of said plates. pivotally supported between the. free ends of said arms, said arms being of suiiicient length to, permit. said box-like structure to be swung outwardly thereon and reversed on its pivots. with the ends of the structure clearing the planeof the. rear edge of. said plates, a table and means for supporting. said. table in parallel relation; to one of said. faces of said structure and said supporting means, permitting. the table to be swung. to a horizontal. position.

3. A device of the character described comprising a mantel structure including top and bottom plates, a supporting post disposed vertically between said plates and connected thereto adjacent side edges of the top and bottom plates, arms swingably supported by said posts, a rectangular unit comprising a top and a bottom member, front and back members, and side members forming a box-like structure and having an aperture in the. front member, said structure being of" greater width than the depth of said plates, and said structure being pivotally connected to and mounted between the free ends of said arms, said arms being of suiiicient length to permit said panel to be swung on said arms and then pivoted between said arms with the ends of the, panel clearing the plane of the rear edge of said top and bottom plates.

4;. In a, device of the character described comprising a mantel structure including top and bottom, plates, a supporting post disposed vertically between said plates adjacent side edges of. said top and bottom plates, arms, swingably con nected to and supported by said posts at the. top and bottom thereof, a box-like structure com; prising a rectangular structure having side, top and bottom walls, and front portions, said front portion having an opening therein, and being pivotally connected to and supported between the free ends of said swingable arms, said swin able arms being of sufiicient length to permit said box-like structure to be swung outwardly a sufficient distance to be pivoted between the free ends of said arms and clear the plane of the rear edges of said top and bottom plates, side members hingedly associated with. said plates and swingable into a closed position to enclose said posts, a table and means for hingedly supporting said table on the face of said. structure opposite said recess in a position substantially parallel with the rear face of said structure and swingable on ARTH R H; ewes REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in. the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

